Glass feeder



2 sheets-sheet 1 s. E. wlNDER GLASSFEEDER vlFiled Dec. 27, 195'? July 15, 1941.

M @T5 NN@ July 15, 1941. s. l.; WWDER 2,249,371

' GLASS FEEDER Filed Dec. 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lili! Patented July 15, 1941 GLASS FEEDER Samuel E. Winder, Baltimore, Md., asslgnor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application December 27, 1937, serial No. 181,943

1s claims. (cl. 1s-ss) 'Ihis invention relates to a new and improved glass feeder, adapted to deliver charges of molten glass from a supply body to a forming machine or the like. The invention is concerned with improvements in feeders of the type wherein the flow of molten glass through a discharge orifice in the floor of a forehearth is controlled, charges of glass are sheared therefrom, and the flow is .arrested or retarded at substantially the time of shearing, or, in some cases, reversed to lift the sheared stub from the shears. Glass feeders of this general type are known in the art, and the present invention is particularly concerned with a plurality of novel adjustable features, which make the apparatus more flexible and which permit a more accurate control of the size, shape, and weight of the charges than has been possible heretofore. f

A primary object of the invention is to provide a feeder which will deliver its mold charges under the influence of gravity and normal atv mospheric air pressure only,` and without applying any positive extrusive force to the glass.

Nothing other than gravity and the force resulting from the hydrostatic head of the-molten glass above the discharge orifice is employed to cause the glass to flow.

It is a further Vobject of the invention to provide a feeder wherein the flow of glass is retarded,

arrested, or reversed by subjecting the glass in the forehearth above the discharge opening to a suitable, adjustable amountcof partial vacuum. By periodically reducing the air pressure above the glass in the discharge orifices to a point below normal, atmospheric air pressure .below the reverse the downward flow of glass. Thus, it is a primary object of the invention to -provide a feeder which operates on a cycle alternately employing partial vacuum'and atmospheric air pressure only, no super-atmospheric pressure or other positive extruding force being applied to the glass.

A further object of the invention isto provide, in combination with a feeder of the class described, an improved vacuum regulator which serves to provide a constant but adjustable source of vacuum of relatively low degree.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art, from a consideration of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings: v Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of the feeder, showingthe forehearth and associated proper temperature.

parts in vertical section and the air control apparatus inside elevation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal vertical section of the air control apparatus.

Figure 3 is a section of the-control valve in a different position.

Figure 4 is a side elevation o f an adjustable cam, shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.

A conventional boot or forehearth extension of 10 ya glass furnace is shown at I0, comprising a floor lIl of refractory material, side walls l2, and a roof I3.` In accordance with the usual practice, appropriate burners may be associated withthe forehearth to maintain the glass therein at the Preferably. the forehearth is enclosed within a metallic shell or casing I4. The floor of the forehearth is provided with an opening vIii in which there is -positioned a refractory ring I6 and a removable orifice ring Il.

2Q The latter may be removably secured in place by any appropriate means, such as the brackets I8, secured to the metal casing I4. Above the bottom ring I6 there is positioned a refractory tube or air bell I9, having its lower end submerged inthe glass and substantially contacting the ring I6. The bell I9 is provided with an opening 2l in its side, near the lower end of the bell and below the normal glass level 22. The upper end of the bell is flanged, as at 23, and a re clay disc -24 is clamped upon the flange by means of4 an upper iron disc 2 5 and a lower metallic annulus 26. Bolts 2l or the like maintain the parts in the relation shown andprovide a substantially airtight'closure for the upper end of the bell. An

air pipe 28 is threaded in an upstanding hollow glass in the discharge orifice will retard, arrest, or

Vcentral boss 29 vformed integrally with the upper disc 25. The pipe 28 is connected by a 'suitable air line 30 to the air control apparatus hereinafter described.

40 `Means arev provided for varying the effective f size of th side opening 2I in the bell I9. Preferably, this means takes the form of a vertically adjustable gate 3| formed of refractory material and having wing portions extending around the exterior surface of the bell in the glass beyond 50 in a tubular bracket 35 on the front end or side of the forehearth. The sleeve 34 is provided with a centrally, threaded bore 36 in which there is disposed similarly threaded shaft 3l, rotatably rmounted in a bearing bracket 38 bolted to the casing I4. By means of a feather or spline-39,

the sleeve 34 is restrained against rotation, but endwise movement in the bracket 86 is permitted. A gear 40 on the lower end of the threaded shaft 31 is preferably connected by means of a similar gear and ashaft to a hand wheel, not shown, whereby the threaded rod 31 may be rotated to raise and lower the sleeve 34 and the gate 3|, to vary the eifective size of the opening 2|.

A pairy of shear blades 45 are mounted in leading from a distributor valve assembly 52 associated with a timer, as hereinafter described.

My preferred means for subjecting the glass in the bell alternately to the influence of a partial vacuum and air at atmospheric pressure will now be described.

A pipe 55 leads from a suitable source of relatively high vacuum, not shown, through a vacuum regulator, represented generally by reference character 56, to a two-way valve casing 51. The source of vacuum preferably comprises a vacuum tank of substantial capacity and a vacuum pump, capable of pulling a vacuum correspondingv to twenty six inches of mercury. The air line 30, which is connected at one end of the air bell, has its`other end threaded in airtight relation in-a boss 58 associated with the valve casing 51. A lateral boss 58 formed on the same casing supports a pipe 60 communicating through an adjustable valve 6| with atmosphere at 62. Within the valve casing 51 there is a rotatable plug valve body 63 having 'a diametric bore 64 therethrough,- adapted, in the position shown, to establish communication directly through the valve casing, from the pipe 30 to the nipple 65 leading to the vacuum regulator. The valve body 63 is formed with an operating handle 66, whereby it may be rotated to bring a curved peripheral passage 61 into registry with the passages in the bosses 58, 58, thereby to establish communication between the pipe 30 and the pipe 60 leading to atmosphere. When in this position the valve body serves to close passage leading to the nipple 65 and the vacuum regulator (see Fig. 3).

The vacuum regulator preferably comprises a casing 10 having a. diaphragm 1| associated therewith lto form the bottom wall of a chamber 12, the chamber being in communication with the nipple 65 at one end and with a short conduit section 1-3 at the other. The diaphragm is prei'- erably clamped in place between the lower edge of the casing 10 and a bottom, supporting casing section 14 which is supported on a platform 15. A pin`16, secured to the central portion of the diaphragm, extends upwardly through an appropriate stuing box 11 associated with the top wall surface of the diaphragm to overcome the partial vacuum in the chamber 12.

The short pipe section 13 is supported by a bracket 8| associated with the platform 15. At its end, it is connected to a valve casing 82 having a lateral boss 83 connected to the conduit 55 leading to the source of vacuum. Within the valve casing 82 there is disposed an upwardly opening poppet valve 84, fixed on a stem 85, guided in stuiiing boxes 86, 81 at the lower and upper ends of the valve casing. A lever 88 is fulcrumed at 88 on a transverse shaft at the upper end of the bracket 8|. One end of the lever is bifurcated, as at 80, to embrace a lateral pin associated withthe upper end of the valve stem 85. The other end of the lever 88 is provided with a vdisc-like enlargement 8| contacting with and supported by the upper end of the pin 16 carried by the diaphragm 1|. A weight 82 is mounted for longitudinal adjustment along the lever 88, so that its effective force may be varied, to augment the force of the spring 18. Thus, wide variations in the degree of vacuum which will be g required in the chamber 12 to overcome the force of the casing 10. The lower, reduced end of the pin 16 projects downwardly through the bottom casing section 14, and a suitable compression spring 18 surrounds the same and bears at its upper end against the casing 14 and at the lower Iend against the adjusting nuts 18, 80, or the like.` It will be apparent that the spring 18 will tend to move tha diaphragm 1| downwardly against atmospheric' air pressure working on the lower of the weight 82 and the lspring 18 to close the valve 84 may be effected. Broad adjustments are effected by shifting the position oi.' the weight 82, and iine adjustments by changing the compression on the spring 18.

The platform 15 supports an air motor 85 having a piston rod 86 connected by a link 81 to the operating handle 66 of the valve body 63. Air under pressure is admitted to ,one end of the cylinder and exhausted from the other, alternately by any convenient means such as the timer valves 88, 88, which may be of any known type.

, A suitable timer is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. 'The several cam shafts |00, |0|, |02, and |03 are in- A terconnecting and are driven in opposite directions, as indicated by the associated arrows, at the same speeds. Air under pressure is conducted from a main line or manifold |04 to each valve casing, 88, 88, |05 and |06 and is admitted through a lateral port in each casing. Each casing to each valve assembly comprises a slidable valve body `not shown, adapted to be urged inwardly by a plunger |01 having a roller in engagement with the cam on the associated shaft. The valve bodies and the plungers associated therewith are immediately returned to their initial, outwardly projected positions by exhaust air, as soon as the cam projections have moved out of engagement with the rollers. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, the plunger |01 associated with the valve assembly 88 has just been removed to the right by the cam fixed to the shaft |00. Air flows from the main line |04 through the valve body and out through the port |08 and line |08 to the port ||0 at the left end of the cylinder 85, thereby shifting the valve 63 to the position shown, to

establish communication between the bell |8A and the source of vacuum. The movement of the piston in the cylinder causes a iiow of exhaust air through the port and conduit ||2 to the port |08 associated with valve assembly 88.4 When the valve body in the casing 88 is in in the assembly 88 to the left, as the cam on the f shaft |00 moves out of contact with the roller associated with the plunger |01. Each valve casing is provided with an exhaust port vIII which enables the actuating air to escape to atmosphere after it has shifted the valve body to establish communication between the bell I and atmosphere. Exhaust air from the cylinder Si ows through the port H0, the conduit |09 to the port |00 associated with the valve casing 03. Thence, this air flows through port Il! of valve 89, and through line H1 to th port IIB of casing 98, to shift the valve body therein and the plunger |01 back to their initial, or starting positions, as soon as the cam projection on shaft |-0| has moved out of contact with the associated roller. This air is exhausted through the port IIB associated with valve lcasing 98 and both of the plungers are now-disposed in their left hand,

starting positions.

Instead of usingthe exhaust air, which is con,- ducted from the cylinder through one valve to shift the other valve to the starting position, al

spring or any equivalent means may be employed to return the valve plunger and the associated valve back to the original position as soon as the cam moves out of engagement with the roller carried bythe plunger. rangement of this kind is preferred, for the sake of simplicity.

Moreover, instead of using two valves and the twoair lines |00 and ii 2 to shift the piston rod 86 associated with the cylinder a5 in the two directions, a single air line and a single valve may be employed to shift the piston in one direction against the action of a spring, which will return thepiston and the valve 63 back to its normal position, as shown in Figure 3, with the pipe 30 in communication with atmosphere. Insuch a case, the shape of the cam should be adjustable; to vary the duration of the application of suction impulses to the air bell i5. Cams having adjustable lobes are known in the art and therefore need not be described in detail herein. i

The cams on the cam shafts |00, |0i, |02 and |03 are mounted for angular 'adjustment so that the timing of the operations of the valves 98, $9, |05 and |05 may be changed at will. For instance, each cam may be secured to its shaft by In some cases, an arexists in theA 12 above the diaphragm 1|. This vacuum obviously will'be transmitted through the passage Il in the valve body '83, and through the pipe 0l into the interior of the bell to 5 reduce the air pressure therein and to interrupt 'the now of glass through the discharge orifice 4 move the diaphragm downwardly and the valve A el upwardly to open position. Thereupon, oommunication is established between the source -of high vacuum and the chamber 12, sdthat the -desiredfvvacuum condition in 'that chamber and inthe bell i9, is established immediately. The increase' in the degree of vacuum in the chamber the weight 92 and -the spring 10, thereby closing the valve 8,4 and preventing a creation of more'v than the desired degree of vacuum.

l After a predetermined, usually very shortinterval of time, as pointed outbelow, the timer shaft I0| shifts the valve 90, thereby quickly reversing the air motor 95 and the valve body 63. As shown in Figure 3, the diametric 'aperture $4 is moved to inoperative position and the peripheral passage 61 is brought into registry with the passage in the boss and the passage in the boss 50, thereby establishing communication between the pipe and the pipe 30. As a result of this shifting of the valve, atmospheric air ows through the valve 0|, pipe 80, and valve casing 51 to relieve the vacuum in the air line 30 and the interior of the bell I9. Thus, the glass in the bell is subjected to air at atmospheric pressure 45 only, no positive, super-atmospheric pressures a set screw |25 or the like, as shown in Figure 4.

It will also be understood that air is delivered to opposite ends of the shear motor 13S, through the valves |05 and |06, in substantially the same manner as previously described, with reference to the air cylinder 95 and the valves 08 and 89.

`The timer preferably includes a number of other cam shafts and valves, which serve to control the operations of an associated forming machine. so that the movements of the feeder and of the forming machine may be properly synchronized.

It is thought that the operation of the apparatus of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration'of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings.

At the instant that the parts assume the po` sition shown in Figures i and 2, a partial `vacuum 75 Where reference is being possible. As a result, glass flows under the iniiuence of gravity and the hydrostatic head of` the glass in the bell, downwardly through the discharge' orifice i1. When a suillcient quantity has been discharged and when a mold charge ofthe proper weight and diameter is hanging below the discharge orifice I1, the shears are operated to sever the charge from the connected body in the discharge orifice. The sheared charge falls by gravity to the forming machine and the valve 99 is actuated by the cam on the shaft |00 to cause the air motor 95 to shift the valve 83 so that suction is again applied to the line 30 and the air bell i9, whereupon the flow of glass is arrested and the cycle repeated.

As stated at the outset of th'e specification, the present invention contemplates numerous adjustable features, so as to make the' apparatus highly flexible and/adaptable for varying conditions. Thus, by changing certain adjustments, wlde variations in the l,viscosity of the .glass may be compensated for. iAlso, the adjustments enable the operator tochange the shape of the mold charges to accommodate differently shaped molds. The weight of the charges may lbe varied between wide limits, to enable the feederto de,

liver mold charges to machines which can be adjusted to make a lwide variety of sizes of glass bottles or Jars.

made to' changing the 12 raises the diaphragm 1|- against the force 'of eter as the orice ring, but as the dow continues,

the suspended charge elongates and decreases in diameter nearly evenly, from end to end.

Another important adjustable control is the timing of the shear action with respect to the commencement of flow. 'If the shearv action is delayed, the charge will stretch out and become thinner, whereas if the action takes place earlier in the cycle, the charge will be shorter and thicker. Preferably the shears Il and their actuating means le, is, are mounted for vertical adjustment on the post 5i so that the height of the shear blades with respect to the discharge'orice can be varied. This adjustment facilitates the coordination oi-weight control and shape control, when combined with the adjustment of the timing of the shears. For' instance, if it is not desired to change the orifice ring and a somewhat longer and thinner, relatively light charge is desired, the shears can be lowered and the time of their shearing action delayed. The-de layed shear action permits the charge to stretch `out under the influence of gravity, and the lowering of the shears decreases the amount cut ou and delivered to the molds on each shearing operation, whereby a charge of the kind desired is formed.

The adjustable gate'll varies the effective size of the opening 2l in the side of the bell. Consequently, it'determines the rate at which the glass can flow into the interior of the bell under the influence of gravity discharge and under the influence 'of suction applied to the upper end of changed -witnrespect to theshear ycycle and/or the forming machine cycle. The valve Il is in the nature of ableed valve and it may be adjusted to cause a short but variable time delay in the flow of atmospheric air into the system to relieve the vacuum. when the valve is shifted to establish communication between the pipe Il and the pipe Il. 'I'his valve ll has been found useful in actual practice to prevent a too rapid inilow of atmospheric air into the system.l

A specific example of the manner in which the feeder of the present invention has been and is being satisfactorily operated in commercial practice will now be given.

The machine is used to feed mold charges to a forming machine, timed to fabricate 19.8 quart size vMason Jars per minute. Thus a complete feeder cycle takes 3.03 seconds. Twenty-six the bell. This adJustment is important in controlling the weight of the charges delivered. When the gate is raised, more glass can flow into the bell and the weight of the charge is increased, assuming other factors to remain constant. When the gate is lowered the opposite effect is noted: i; e. lighter charges are delivered.

The timing of the applications of partial vacuum and atmospheric pressures to the glass in the bell is of maior importance in determining weight and shape of the charges. Also, the degree of partial vacuum applied, and therate'of atmospheric air pressure recovery have notable effects on the charges. The degree ofvacuum in the line can be determined by the vacuum gauge 54 associated with the line ll and minor adjustments can be effected by the nuts 1I, 8l, to maintain the desired degree of vacuum. For major adjustments, the weight i2 can be shifted. The time of application of vacuum to the line 30 and the bell I9 is controlled by the position of the cams on the shafts llt and the termination oil` the suction is controlled by the cam on the shaft lill. Thum-by shifting these cams. the portion of each cycle devoted to the application of vacuum and the portion during which atmosphere is effective, can be changed Vat will. Also, by shifting both cams the feeder cycle may be inches of vacuum are present at the source of vacuum, but the vacuum regulator is set to supply a vacuum of only two inches of mercury. The cams on the shafts Ill and Iel are timed to apply vacuum to the air bell substantially s'imultaneously with the shearing action. The vacuum is applied for only twenty-eight one hundredths of a second or about one-twelfth-ofeach cycle, whereupon the valve I3 is shifted as quickly as possible to establish communication between the bell and atmosphere. The valve il is ad justed in such a manner that there is a short lag in the vacuum relief, of approximately threetenths of a second. During the major portion of the cycle, and for a period of about two and forty-five hundredths seconds, the glass in the bell ilows through the discharge orifice under the influence of atmospheric pressure only.

'When operating in this manner. the temperature of the particulas` composition of glass used is 1940 F. The orifice ring has an opening three inches in diameter. The gobs fed are of substantially the shape shown in Figure 1. At the lower, rounded end, they measure substantially two and one-quarter inches in diameter and at the upper end, at the line of shear action, they are somewhat narrower. in the neighborhood of between one and three-quarters and two inches. 'I'he shears are spaced an appropriate distance below the orifice. and the gobs, when sheared, are approximately uve inches long. l

Of course, the operation of the feeder of the present invention is not limited to the figures given above in the specific example, as wide variations may be made. to suit varying conditions. The example is given for purposes of illustration only, and is in no sense, restrictive of the invention. Nor is the invention limited to the specific arrangementI of parts shown in the accompanying drawings and described above, because the invention includes all changes coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for feeding mould charges of bell to said source and to air at atmospheric pressure, means for shifting said valve in a regular cycle to subject the glass in the bell alternately to the influence of the regulated partial vacuum and to the influence of atmospheric pressure, and means for` varying the timing of said valve shifting means to' change the relative durations in said cycle of the application of said partial vacuum and of said atmospheric pressure.

2. A glass feeder for delivering mould charges from a discharge oriilce .in the floor of a forehearth, comprising an air bell in the forehearth surrounding said orifice and having an 'opening in its side wall submerged in the glass in the forehearth, shears spaced below said orifice, means for actuating said shears at predetermined time intervals, a single air line communicating with the interior of said bell, a source of regulated partial vacuum,` a single two-way valve in said line adapted in one position to connect said line to said source of partial vacuum and in its other position to connect the same to a source of air at atmospheric pressure, means for shifting said valve from one position to the other in a regularly recurring cycle, and adjustable timing means for controlling the operations of said shear actuating means and said valve shifting means to en'ect variations in the time relationship of shearing operations and the applications of partial vacuum and atmospheric air pressures to the glass'in said bell, thereby to control the weight and shape of the mould charges severed by said shears. l y

3. A glass feeder for delivering mould charges from a discharge oriilce in the floor of a forehearth, comprising an airl bell in the forehearth surrounding said orifice and having an opening in its side wall submerged in the glass in the forehearth, shears spaced below said orice, means for actuating said shears at predetermined time intervals, a single air line communicating with the interior ofsaid bell, a source of regulated partial vacuum, a single two-way valve in said line adapted in one position to connect said line to said source of partial vacuum and in its other position to connect the same to a source of air at atmospheric pressure, means for varying the between one of said passages in the valve body and said source of air at atmospheric pressure, said adjustable valve serving to provide an adjustable time delay in 11e-establishing atmospheric air pressure in the line and bell after each application of said partial vacuum insaid line and bell.

5. An apparatus for feeding mould charges of molten glass from a supplybody, comprising a forehearthhaving a discharge opening ln its floor, a refractory bell projecting downwardly into the glass .in the forehearth with its lower end substantially contacting said floor and surrounding said opening, a single air line leading from said bell, a source of vacuuml conduit means leading from said source, a vacuum regulator between said conduit means and said air line, a single valve housing and a two-way valve body therein, disposed in said line between said bell and said regulator, said valve housing' having aport communicating with the vacuum regulator and another port communicating with latmosphere, and means for shifting the valve body to establish communication alternately between the line and the vacuum regulator and between the line and atmosphere, whereby a gravity ow of size of said .opening a single air line leading from I said bell to a source of vacuum, a vacuum regulator in'said line, a valve housing and a two-way valve in the line between the bell and vacuum regulator, said valve housing having a port communicating with atmosphere, and means for shifting the valve rto establish communication alternately between the bell and the vacuum regeiective size of the connection of said line to the source of air at atmospheric pressure, thereby controlling the time required to restore the p ressure in said line and bell from the maximum partial vacuum to atmospheric pressure, means for shifting said valve from one position to the other in a regularly recurring cycle, and adjustable timing means for controlling the operations of said shear actuating means and said valve shifting means to effect variations in the time relationship of shearing operations and the -applications of partial vacuum and atmospheric air pressures to the glass in said bell, thereby to control the weight and shape of the mould -charges severed by said shears.

4. A glass feeder for delivering mould charges from a discharge orifice in the floor of a forehearth, comprising an air bell having an opening in its side submerged in the glass over the orifice, shears adapted to sever mould charges below the orifice, a single air line communicating with the interior of said bell., a source of partial vacuum and a source of air at atmospheric pressure, a single two-position valve in said line comprising a body having two spaced passages, each adapted to establish communication between said line and one of said two sources `alternately in the two positions oi said valve, and an adjustablevalve ulator and between the bell and atmosphere.

'1. An apparatus for feeding mould charges of molten glass from a supply body, comprising a forehearth having a discharge opening in its floor, a refractory bell projecting downwardly into the glass in the forehearth with its lower end substantially contacting said iloor and surrounding said opening, said -bell having a side opening in the glass in the forehearth, means for controlling the eiective size of said opening,

a single air line leading from said bell to a source of vacuum, a vacuum regulator in said line, a valve housing and a two-way valve in the line between the bell and vacuum regulator, said valve housing having a port communicating with atmosphere, a supplemental air valve adapted to means in the line between the regulator and the i bell adapted alternately to establish connection and between the line and atmosphere in another Position, said regulator comprising a chamber communicating with said line through said valve means when in the first mentioned position, a vacuum control valve between the chamber and the source of vacuum, a diaphragm in a wall of the chamber movable inwardly under the influence of a partial vacuum therein. a connection. between said diaphragm and said control valve to close the latter upon inward movement oi' the former, means exerting aconstant outward force on said diaphragm land tending to open the control valve, the force of said means being balanced and the valve being maintained closed by a predetermined partial vacuiun in the chamber, said force servingto overbalence the diaphragm and open the valveupon lowering of the vacuum in the chamber resulting from establishing communication between the chamber and the line by the first mentioned valve means, thereby again serving to raise the vacuum in the chamber and line to said predetermined degree and again to close the valve, whereby the vacuum in the chamber and in the line and bell is maintained at a substantially constant maximum.

9. Means for controlling Vthe liiow of molten glass from a supply body enclosed in a bell above a discharge orifice in `the floor of a' forehearth.

-a diaphragm in the bottom wall of said charnber movable upwardly under the influence of a partial vacuum therein. apin connected to said diaphragm' projecting through the upper wall of the casing, a lever connection-between said Dinand said vacuum control valve to close the phragm and said valve to close the latter upon inward movement of the former, means exerting a constantoutward force on said diaphragm and a corresponding opening force on said valve,

the force of said means being balanced and the valve being maintained closed by a predetermined partial vacuum in the chamber, said to a source ci relatively high vacuum from a. j

vacuum operated machine which normally delivers limited quantities of atmospheric air to the conduit, of a regulator serving to maintain latter downwardly upon upward movement of the diaphragm, means exerting a constant downward force on the lever and diaphragm and an upward vforce on said valve tending to open the latter, the force of said means being balanced and said valve being maintained closed by a predetermined partial vacuum working on the diaphragm in said chamber, said force serving to overbalance the diaphragm and open said vacuum control valve when the first mentioned valve means establishes communication between the line and chamber and thereby lowers the vacuum in the chamber, the opening of said vacuum control valve serving to raise the degree of vacuum in the chamber and line to said predetermined degree and to close the control valve.

10. A vacuum regulator adapted to be interposed between a source of high vacuum and a conduit to control and maintain substantially constant, the degree vof vacuum in the latter.

said regulator comprising a chamber in com-` munication with said conduit, a throttle valve between the chamber and said source, a diaphragm in the wall of said chamber movable inwardly under the influence of a partial vacuum therein, a connection between said diathe vacuum in the conduit at a substantiallyV constant, relatively low degree, said regulator comprising a control chamber, a4 diaphragm in the chamber, a control valve in the line leading to the source of highvacuum, a connection between said diaphragm and said valve, and means for applying an adjustable, constant force to said diaphragm and valve to open the latter when the vacuum in said control chamber working on said diaphragm reaches a predetermined minimum.

l2. The combination with a conduit-leading to a source of relatively high vacuum from a vacuum operated machine which normally delivers limited quantities of atmospheric air to the conduit, of a regulatorv serving to maintain the vacuum in the conduit at a substantially constant, relatively low degree, said regulator comprising a control chamber, a a diaphragm in the chamber, a control valve in the line leading to the source of highyacuum, a weighted lever connection between said diaphragm and said valve working against the force of the vacuum on the diaphragm, and an adjustable spring augmenting the force of the weighted lever, whereby a predetermined degree of, vacuum operating on said diaphragm is necessary to overbalance the weight and the spring to close said control valve.

13. In combination, an air bell having its lower end immersed in molten glass in a forehearth over a discharge orifice in the oor thereof,v a single air line leading to. said bell, a source of relatively high vacuum, a vacuum reducer and regulator, a two-way valve in said line arranged 4to establish communication from the line to atating means therefore movable to open the valve in responseto a predetermined minimum degree of partial vacuum in the regulator and to close the same in response to a predetermined maximum degree of partial vacuum, said two-way valve serving to establish atmospheric air pressure in the line and bell in the rst mentioned position and in the other position to establish a flow of said atmospheric air in the line and bell` into the regulator, thereby diminishing the partial vacuum therein below said predetermined minimum and causing the outlet .valve to open and the air to flow toward said source vof vacuumuntil the vacuum in the line and regulator reaches the predetermined maximum.l

14. Means for controlling, alternately, the ow of atmospheric air to an air bell associated with a glass feeder and the establishment of partial vacuum therein, said means comprising a. single air line, a single two-way valve in the line, a vacuum regulator, a source of relatively high vacuum, and means for actuating said valve. the last mentioned means comprising an air motor having two normal positions, and connections between the motor and Vvalve adapted in one position of the-motor to hold the 'valve in position establishing communication from the line through the regulator tosaid source and in the other position of the motor to close the passage leading through the regulator and to openthe line to atmosphere, said regulator comprising a valve, means for closing the same upon creation cf a predetermined maximum vacuum in the regulator and means for opening the valve alt a.

vacuum inthe line and bell cannot exceed said maximum.

15. An apparatus for delivering mould charges of molten glass from a supply body through a.- discharge opening in a forehearth door, com-,-

prising a refractory bell projecting downwardly into the glass in alignment with said opening,

a single air line connected to the upper end of the bell, a source of regulated vacuum, a single atmospheric air pressure, said valve shifting predetermined whereby the degree of means comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, connections between the piston and the valve, and an adjustable timer for admitting activating air to opposite ends of the cylinder in a predetermined, variable time cycle.

SAMUEL E. WINDER. 

